Warburton, with typical candour, acknowledged the psychological damage endless defeats against New Zealand, South Africa and Australia has done to Welsh minds

Sam Warburton insists Wales have to take a major southern hemisphere scalp before the World Cup if they are to be genuine contenders for union’s biggest prize.

The Wales captain, who missed last June’s tour of South Africa as he recovered from a shoulder injury suffered during the Six Nations finale with Scotland, spoke out ahead of November’s clash with World Cup holders New Zealand, the Springboks and Australia.

Wales possess an atrocious record against the top trio and have failed to address it despite enjoying unparalleled success in the Six Nations with four titles, three with Grand Slams in the last nine years.

They have been crowned European champions three times under Warren Gatland but have lost 24 of their 25 fixtures with the Rugby Championship big-hitters since the Kiwi’s reign as coach began six years ago.

Their sole victory was a 21-18 triumph over Australia at the Millennium Stadium six years ago, although a series of other tight matches could have gone either way.

Warburton, who is expected to resume leadership duties for the autumn campaign despite Alun Wyn Jones having done a sterling job in South Africa, didn’t mince his words as he addressed Welsh failures against rugby’s big three.

“To be brutally honest, we haven’t been quite good enough,” rapped Warburton.

And he was adamant: “Wales can’t consider themselves contenders for the World Cup unless they beat one of the southern hemisphere sides.

“We are the only home nation not to have managed it in recent years. That is something we have to rectify. We need to get that monkey off our backs.

“We’ve been close, very close four or five times against Australia. But close is not good enough. You can’t claim you are unlucky five times.”

Warburton, with typical candour, acknowledged the psychological damage endless defeats against New Zealand, South Africa and Australia has done to Welsh minds.

“It affects a player’s psyche. You only need one player to have a bit of self-doubt in a squad for that to make a difference,” he told the Telegraph.

Wales have only beaten South Africa once in history, in 1999, and haven’t accounted for New Zealand since taking their winning tally against them to three in 1953.

They have defeated Australia twice since snatching third place from them at the inaugural World Cup of 1987.

But their overall record against the big three since that 22-21 victory over the Wallabies in Rotorua, New Zealand is startling.

Wales have won just three of the 63 fixtures, losing 59 and drawing one. They have scored 994 points but shipped an incredible 2,113 for a points difference of minus 1,126.

Warburton stressed the urgency of the matter with the World Cup a year away and Wales being drawn in the same group as hosts England, Australia, Fiji and the winner of a play-off between Russia and Uruguay. The top two finishers advance to the quarter-finals.

“A top team is going to go out. England have been building nicely and always seem to peak for World Cups,” he said.

“Their performance against us in last season’s Six Nations at Twickenham was a big step-up in standard. I’m expecting big things from them.”

And he added: “Any player who tells you that he is not really thinking about the World Cup is lying. 2015 is a real focus, and every player wants to get a lot of rugby under his belt.”

Warburton believes the qualification format for the new European Rugby Champions Cup, which means only the top Welsh finisher in the Guinness Pro12 is guaranteed entry, will lift standards at Cardiff Blues, Newport Gwent Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets and help the Wales team.

“That is the best ruling they have made in a long time. It will make the Pro12 competitive from beginning to end,” he added.

“It has certainly been a motivation for us at the Blues in pre-season to make sure that we are right up there. We have underachieved at the Blues and it will be good to put that to rights.”

Wales results against New Zealand, South Africa and Australia under coach Warren Gatland

Played 25, won 1, lost 24 (points for 445, against 669, difference – 254)

v New Zealand, P6, L6

v South Africa, P9, L9

v Australia, P10, W1, L9

Wales results against New Zealand, South Africa and Australia since finishing third at the 1987 World Cup

Played 63, won 3, lost 59, drawn 1 (points for 994, against 2,113, difference – 1,126)

v New Zealand, P17, L17

v South Africa, P22, W1, L21

v Australia, P24, W2, L21, D1

Wales overall record against New Zealand, South Africa and Australia

Played 95, won 14, lost 79, drawn 2 (points for 1,211, against 2,554, difference – 1,273)

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